Industrial Design Registration in Japan

With iGERENT, the cost to register an industrial design in Japan is USD 1,005. This fee includes the official government charges, as well as the preparation and filing of your application for one design. By working with our experts, you can be confident that your design will be protected without hidden costs or unnecessary complications.

In Japan, the registration process for an industrial design generally takes 6 to 12 months, depending on the workload of the Japan Patent Office (JPO) and whether any objections are raised during examination. At iGERENT, we prepare your application carefully to minimize the risk of delays and help you obtain protection as quickly as possible.

In Japan, industrial design protection lasts for 25 years from the filing date. Unlike in some other countries, this protection period is fixed and does not require renewals during its term. At iGERENT, we help you secure registration so you can fully benefit from the long-term protection offered under Japanese law.

In Japan, industrial design registrations require the payment of annual maintenance fees to keep the protection in force. These annuities must be paid every year, starting from the year following registration, for the entire 25-year protection period. At iGERENT, we monitor your deadlines and handle annuity payments on your behalf so you never risk losing your rights.

In Japan, industrial design applications go through both a formal examination and a substantive examination. The formal examination checks whether the application meets filing requirements, such as correct documents, drawings, and fees. The substantive examination verifies that the design is new, creative, and not contrary to public order or morality. If objections arise, the applicant must respond within the given timeframe. At iGERENT, we prepare your application thoroughly and guide you through any objections to improve the chances of smooth registration.

In Japan, you must submit clear and precise representations of the design with your application. These can be line drawings, photographs, or computer-generated images that show the product from multiple views (front, back, top, bottom, sides, and perspective). The drawings must accurately depict the features for which protection is sought and should not include text, dimensions, or unnecessary background. At iGERENT, we guide you in preparing drawings that meet the Japan Patent Office (JPO) standards to avoid delays or refusals.

In Japan, industrial design searches can be carried out through the database of the Japan Patent Office (JPO). However, searches can be challenging because designs are organized by product categories and visual features rather than simple keywords. At iGERENT, we handle these searches on your behalf, helping you identify possible conflicts before filing your application—saving you time, money, and the risk of disputes in the future.

Japan grants a six-month priority period for industrial design applications. This means that if you first filed your design in another Paris Convention member country, you can claim that earlier filing date in Japan as long as you apply within six months. At iGERENT, we help you manage these deadlines so your design rights are protected internationally without missing the priority window.

In Japan, the official fees for industrial design registration must be paid at the time of filing the application. After registration is granted, annual maintenance fees (annuities) must be paid each year to keep the design in force for the full 25-year term. With iGERENT, we handle both the initial payment and the ongoing annuities on your behalf, so you never risk missing a deadline.

In Japan, industrial design protection applies only to the appearance of a product, such as its shape, pattern, color, or a combination of these. It does not cover the technical function of the product, features dictated solely by utility, or designs that are offensive, contrary to public order, or lacking originality. At iGERENT, we guide you on what can and cannot be protected so you can make the most of your rights.

Yes. In Japan, you can file a single application containing multiple designs, as long as the designs are related under the same concept (called "related designs") or fall within the same Locarno Classification. This system allows you to protect variations of a product more efficiently. At iGERENT, we guide you on how to structure your applications so you save costs while ensuring comprehensive protection for your creations.

No. In Japan, industrial design protection lasts for a fixed term of 25 years from the filing date and cannot be renewed beyond that period. If annuities are not paid on time during those 25 years, the registration will lapse and cannot be restored. At iGERENT, we help you stay on top of all deadlines so your rights remain protected throughout the entire protection period.